Programs: CO Platinum 1K, SPG Platinum, HH Gold, National Executive Elite, Platinum TSA Hater
Posts: 23,530
Repairing Windshield Crack Before Returning
Has anyone suffered a stone chip or 'starburst' crack in their windshield during a rental, and then repaired it on their own rather than returning the car with the chip and risking a hefty post-return repair bill?
I suffered a nice rock hit against my rental's windshield yesterday, and ended up with a starburst crack from it. I thought I might just return the car and let them decide if they want to fix it or not, but that decision could result in a hefty repair bill including those dreaded 'out of service' charges for the days the car isn't rented.
I called Safelight Auto Glass, and they could fill the crack for $60, which I could get reimbursed from Amex with my rental car insurance plan. I'm sure Amex would rather pay $60 and not the $300+ National might bill for this kind of damage.
__________________ Rich and 50 is the same as middle-class and 30
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, SPG Platinum, HHonors Gold, National Exec Elite
Posts: 768
I would just let National take care of it if you are using the Amex card... No reason to risk your own personal liability for taking it to a third party, when Amex I am sure pays less than $300 to National for such events...
__________________
Don't worry about tomorrow... its already happened in Australia.
I've chipped several windshields at National. Had one where the small chip turned into a crack all the way across the window within a few hours. Had another one where the rear view mirror fell of.
They've never said anything. Even had one where they circled the crack with a marker while I was returning the car, so they definately saw it. Of course, I'm sure I've just been lucky. Or maybe they cut me a break becaue I'm EE and do so much business with them.
Programs: CO Platinum 1K, SPG Platinum, HH Gold, National Executive Elite, Platinum TSA Hater
Posts: 23,530
I went the cheaper route only because of a horrible experience I had with National, where they tried to get me for over $700 after finding a small scratch underneath the bumper that they couldn't even prove was caused by me or didn't exist beforehand. After Amex argued with them about the cost of the repair, the ridiculous 'out of service' charges and other items, National responded by saying I better pay up or the collection agency they used for billing these claims will just charge it off. Amex told me they would cover my deductible, but the rest was up to me or my insurance and they recommended I pay up.
Since I figured a crack in the windshield would nail me for at least that amount, if not more - and since Amex only covers up to my $500 deductible, I might be on the hook for the difference out of my own pocket or risk higher premiums by doing a claim with my insurance company.
I guess it's possible things could still go that route, but scratch is repaired now and invisible unless you know exactly where to look.
__________________ Rich and 50 is the same as middle-class and 30
Since I figured a crack in the windshield would nail me for at least that amount, if not more - and since Amex only covers up to my $500 deductible, I might be on the hook for the difference out of my own pocket or risk higher premiums by doing a claim with my insurance company.
I guess it's possible things could still go that route, but scratch is repaired now and invisible unless you know exactly where to look.
I assume you're talking about the standard car-rental insurance from your AMEX credit card? I signed up for the AMEX premium protection just for peace of mind- hopefully, it will cover things like these.
I had a small rock come through the windshield once that came across the dividing wall of the interstate highway- it left a hole the size of a penny with a baseball size smashed place around it. I dropped it off at the agency and told them what happened and filled out a report. After that I never heard another peep from them about it.
I just rented a 2012 impala with 97 miles. After leaving STL i go on highway 70 and before i hit 99 miles a rock hit the windshield and chipped it, right in plain sight of the driver. Since the car has such low miles, i doubt that i can deny it happed while in my care. Its supposed to rain tomorrow, so maybe i will get lucky with them not noticing/ charging me. I will post my update here about what happens.
Programs: UA 2P, Hyatt Plat, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Amtrak "Li'l Engineers" Kids Club
Posts: 681
Had a rock cause a small chip in the windshield on a rental last year. The return agent at BUR was concerned about whether I was returning because my contract was up or exchanging because of the chip, but did not seem to be concerned about the chip itself at all. Never heard anything later from National about it.
